Nov. 15, 2012

Written by

Emily Townsend

Contributing Writer

FSU students who have secrets too big or embarrassing to admit to anyone have started to turn to Whisper, an anonymous iPhone app that provides students a place to post secrets without the risk of it being traced back to them.

“Whenever I see people sleeping on Landis, I just want to cuddle with them” and “I just wanna jump Chief Osceola’s bones before he graduates” are just two recent confessions.

The app allows others to “heart” and reply to confessions or “whispers” without revealing their identity as well.

The app’s popularity has grown rapidly. The Facebook fan page Whisper on Florida State University has received almost 1,300 likes in the short time since it was launched.

Georgette Cartagena, a freshman at Florida State and a campus representative for the app, says the anonymity of Whisper provides a safe outlet for students to express themselves, seek advice and realize they are not alone.

“Whisper is an outlet for students, especially those who are dealing with very stressful personal issues they might not divulge to a friend,” Cartagena says. “It is a positive way for them to get advice since others can reply or realize they are not alone.”Cartagena also emphasizes that because it is completely anonymous, students are able to be honest.

“Unlike Facebook, Tumblr or Instagram, which puts oneself in the most positive light, Whisper is the most honest side of a person,” Cartagena says.

Similar websites encourage anonymous confessions, but Cartagena says Whisper is unique because the person posting remains anonymous, but the location of the post is tracked. Students can see what other students in their area are whispering about, giving them a way to feel connected to those around them.

FSU students who have started to use the app have given it mixed reviews. “I feel like some people use it to get attention,” says FSU sophomore Becca Davis. “It’s a pretty fun app though.”

FSU senior Marshall Upshaw expressed a similar opinion.

“Sometimes it has some really good stuff; other times I feel like reading what someone has posted was a waste of my time,” Upshaw says.

The reception is generally positive, but, like any social media outlet, Whisper comes with its issues. There are already secrets that reveal compromising information about University staff and students. They can not be traced back to specific people; however, for some, this causes a sense of concern. There is also the opportunity to expose private information about people.

“It is uncomfortable to think that random people could be posting things about you that you aren’t aware of,” says FSU sophomore Brianna Figueroa. “I personally do not like the app.”

The Whisper app offers a place to seek advice and camaraderie without fear of shame and embarrassment. At the end of the day, it also presents students with comic relief.“I could watch Phineas and Ferb all day,” one reads. “I’m 22.”